“This is probably the last time you’re ever going to see me in here. I want to perform at the top level. That’s it,” Penn said after the loss to Diaz. “I’ve got a daughter, another daughter on the way, I don’t want to go home looking like this. I’m done.”

Now months removed from that time, Penn hasn’t backed off his original statement and it appears he’s settling into the life of a retired fighter.

“As of now I am sticking to that,” Penn said during the UFC on Fuel TV 2 post fight show. “I haven’t made any plans to come back and fight again, Dana White has actually called me a couple times and talked to me, it’s just something that’s not in my future right now.”

While he isn’t in active competition, Penn has stayed busy at home in Hawaii working on opening a new gym, plus having two daughters that keep him on the go at all times.

“I’m opening the UFC gym, the B.J. Penn/UFC gym in Oahu. I’ve been doing that and I’ve been watching my gym at home. I’ve just been kind of teaching and training, I like it. Just go to the gym when I feel like training I train, and if not I watch my daughters. That’s all I do,” said Penn.

In the past, Penn has always wanted to focus on facing the best fighters in whatever weight class he’s competing in. He’s made a few different title runs between lightweight and welterweight, and Penn has always been a main event level competitor.

That said, Penn’s reasoning for the time off has nothing to do with waiting for the right match-up or the right name to come along and challenge him. It’s that statement above any others that lead some to believe Penn may actually be done this time.

“There’s tons of match-ups out there. There’s great athletes. The UFC is the best athletes in the world, but I don’t know. In a perfect world, I can’t even see the scenario right now this moment. It’s just something that if I feel it, I feel it, and if not we’ll just sit back and watch all the other guys kick butt in the Octagon,” Penn stated.

Of course UFC fans have been very vocal on Twitter, Facebook, and in every other avenue to shout support for Penn to come back one day.

While the support is absolutely appreciated, Penn is satisfied with his decision to retire, and for now that’s the only thing he’s thinking about.

“It’s awesome seeing that they want me to fight again, but as of now I just take my time,” said Penn.

If he is done competing, Penn will have retired with a 16-8-2 record overall including a run as UFC welterweight and lightweight champion to his credit, and has to be an absolute shoe-in for a future UFC Hall of Famer.

If he wants to stay home and hang out with his daughters, let ‘em. The man has fought top competition for the majority of his career, he’s earned it!

Respect for B.J.
One of THEE best of all-time.

Anthony

I figured hed be chomping at the bit now that Edgars not champ anymore. Id luv to see him cut down to 45 and fight Aldo–that could be a serious fight of the year candidate. If this guy never fights again hes a shoe in for the H.O.F.– guess maybe theres nothing left to prove…..

RonnieV

Cut down to 145? Do you have any clue how hard it is for him to cut down to 155? He walks around at 185! He’s been fighting 170 for a reason.

Anthony

im sure your right Ronnie, id just luv to see him fight Aldo and even at 55 you have to admit hes not leaned completly out. Everyone calls his work ethic into question, with a nutritionist(ala Tiago Alves), and a huge payday I think he could make the 45 cut. I didnt mean to offend you Ronnie, I read your posts and you know what your talkin about and most of the time I agree w/ what you say–but…….. tell me you wouldnt pay to see BJ fight Aldo?????

RubeKegal

It is hard for him to cut to 145, because he is LAZY!!! He surrounds himself with yes men and his workouts are a joke. The fighters of today arent as talented, but work a lot harder for sure.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1576113085 joegreen

I like BJ and all, but he is too ****ing lazy. Even if he does come back, he cant push himself anymore, and training with his family wont do him any favors. He needs guys around who will say pull your head out of your ass, and train harder. His family wont do that. He and Regan have terrible cardio. Shit isnt rocket science.

http://www.facebook.com/aught103 marklee

penn has always had a gas out problem his stamina has never been top notch; this combined with his age….. no can. retirement is the right choice.